Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-10-06

them and driven them in on shore, in
/ time to meet the astonished gaze Of our
starving party.
Were ever men so placed before?
There was gold! Gold enough 70 buy
palaces, broad acres, luxuries in food
and clothing, pleasures, beyond all
our widest dreams had ever APP
preached. We stood upon it trampled it,
handled it. tasted it, smelled it! Yes. it
was gold! All we had to Go was to
stoop and take it! There was no one
to struggle with us for it! No one to
snatch it from us. after we had grasped
it! 1t was gold! Wealth. the idol be-
fore which the world falls PROSTATE in
AFFECT worship! For which III an often
sacrifices all, that reason tells him, is
most dear, and having gained it, while
he clutches it. confesses that happiness
has melted away before it!
How it Knocked US. gaunt, travel
soiled, ragged crew! Lying all around
us, in silent command. it called upon
us to take the reward for which we had
left home, friends. the comforts of
civilization, How it Knocked as! Oar
tottering limbs would not support us:
our trem bllng hands would not obey
our greedy wills and gather the riches
spread before u.s..
The excitement of this sudden ap-
pearancc had reused us. only to react
in greater exhaustion and we were
driven to the acknowledgment that
food must come first, gold afterwards.
We gathered a few handfu,s. and
ploded on. planning how to come back
and secure the treasure before others
should find it. This we were conf
dent we could do. as that part of the
beach was seldom visited by boats, on
account of the difficulty of approach,
and there was little to attract travel
ers on the landward side. 1t was
near night when the cabin of the ranch
came in sight. The owner, well fed
man. stood in the doorway and took a
leisurely survey.
81 low you air a snug lot" lie said:
'.yOur critter, l reckon, come in, n
lowed there be some caved in strangers
follerin'."
The ranchnlan's bluntness was for
gotten when he led us into the one
room of the cabin and babe us ''sit
down and fall to-" Our supper of
smoking beef-steak, eggs, hot biscuit
and coffee dispatched, we wrapped
ourselves in our blankets, and, with
the sky for roof, slept soundly. In
the morning. having gratefully refused
the invitation to "stay by till yer
kinder coopered up" after breakfast
as substantial as the supper, we started
Cor San Francisco.
We used our gold dust freely, for our
one thought was to keep our secret till
we could hurry back and secure the
prize. Lest we might attract the no.
tice of gold hunters, as eager as our
selves, we agreed to separate into two
parties, and deposit our dust in two
banks. Pat, who stood quite in awe
of Standish's business education and
quickness at figures. declared that he
would ''howld on till what Misther
Sthandish agreed
Joe's imperfect knowledge of the lam
guage induced him to trust Standish al
SO. We appointed place of rendez-
vous. and Standish went with Harry
to prospect for Il small vessel to take
US back to the gold beach. l took it
upon myself to keep an eye on Pat and
Joe, for l feared that in that Babel,
San Francisco. they might meet COM
patriots, be thrown off their guard and
become confidential.
Standish found that strangers in the
city could not, Immediately command |
the facilities we needed, and with Har- |
rvs consent. decided to ask the advice |
of business acquaintance of his book
keeping days. AS the assayer had pro-
nounced our specimens half pure gold.
Standish's friend promptly proposed |
the formation of Il company and prom |
ised to push its interests. Papers were
drawn up. and the next morning our /
party of five young men, comfortably |
clothed. almost forgetting our recent |
prirations and e,:ulting in the prospect !
of laying hands on wealth that awaited |
us. went aboard cutter, well found in
all we should need.
The captains sealed orders directed |
him to put us ashore wherever STAN |
dish should say. We beat up the coast
and lay to Off the gold beach, Heavy
breakers and savage rocks. water worn
into every imaginable shape. forbade
our running in close. A boat was low
cred and the captain called for volun-
teers. from his crew. Three brave
seamen stepped forward. MY orders
are to land my passengers" said the
captain. THAT seas no mill pond.
The boat won't carry more'n three
landsmen. Who's for the first trip"
We hastily drew lots. Standish and
l were left ont. begged Harry to let
me 60 in his place. but he pressed my
hand and scrambled over the side.
Standish and l stood on either side of
the captain, as he watched the boat